Main Entry: ¹di·al

Pronunciation: \ˈdī(-ə)l\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English dyal, from Medieval Latin dialis clock wheel revolving daily, from Latin dies day — more at deity

Date: 15th century

1 : the face of a sundial
2 obsolete : timepiece
3 : the graduated face of a timepiece
4 a : a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer <the thermometer dial reads 70°F> b : a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine <a radio dial> <a telephone dial>